Technology to continuously cast copper alloy semi-finished bars, sections and hollows includes a low frequency, induction-melting furnace, in which metals are alloyed and the composition checked.
Continuous casting technology specialists, Rautomead, of Dundee, Scotland, have supplied one of their new RX1400 horizontal casting models to Tomghsia Industrial Co of Changhua Hsien, Taiwan. A successful, privately owned metals manufacturing company, founded in 1992, Tomghsia had grown to become a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of copper alloy ingot, with a significant presence in numerous international markets. In a drive to widen market opportunities - and add significant additional value to the copper alloys processed - Tomghsia approached Rautomead to provide continuous casting technology for the manufacture of semi-finished bars, sections and hollows in copper alloys.

The new RX1400 plant supplied to Tomghsia comprises a low frequency, induction-melting furnace, in which metals are alloyed and the composition checked.

When ready, the molten material is poured to the continuous casting machine in batches, while the casting process remains continuous.

The plant includes an automatic bar handling and cut-to-length station to cut the bars to 4m lengths.

Output is up to 400kg/h.

Product diameters are from 20mm to 125mm and one, two or four strands are produced simultaneously, depending on bar size.

Typical copper alloys produced on the new plant include bronzes, leaded bronzes, manganese bronze and aluminium bronze.

* Further extends Rautomead technology - the new RX1400 machine has been designed to complement Rautomead’s existing highly successful RX1100, RT850 and RT650 range of continuous casting models.

The RX1400 machine supplied to Tomghsia was first assembled by Rautomead Limited in Dundee, for pre-shipment testing and to allow the training of Tomghsia representatives.

Following shipment, Rautomead’s Installation and Commissioning engineers then travelled to Taiwan to ensure the RX1400 was quickly in operation with the minimum of delay.

* Full technical support - Rautomead will continue to provide Tomghsia with technical support in the operation of the new RX1400 continuous casting machine.

Tomghsia will also benefit by taking advantage of Rautomead’s vast database of technical information and twenty-five years’ experience in continuous casting technology.